Japan is one of the world's most important societies, yet one of the least understood. This book is designed to fill the gap for a concise but thought-provoking introduction to all aspects of its political, economic, and social life set in a clear historical context. The author provides a range of alternative perspectives--mainstream, revisionist, and culturalist--to seeing Japan as a unique society and to emphasize the similarities between Japan and other advanced democracies. He then explores the history, economy, government, politics, society and culture.
